MARK ANDERSEN

Mark was born in North Carolina and began playing in church before the age of twelve. His passion for the pipe organ comes from a long history of musical families on both parent's side. When he was only a small boy his grandmother, Hesba Britt would take him with her as she practiced on the organs in local churches. Mark's career has taken him from the small town of Lumberton, NC to many of the major cities of the world where he has studied with organ world greats such as Marcel Dupre and E Power Biggs. He received a PhD in organ performance in 1976 after having studied in Paris. He is an accomplished composer and artist and has performed in many of the major concert halls throughout the world including Carnegie Hall (9 times) and Lincoln Center in New York, The Royal Albert Hall in London, Notre Dame in Paris, The Kennedy Center in Washington, and Symphony Hall in Boston with the Boston Symphony to name a few. Since 1973 he has recorded exclusively for International Artists Records in New York and has been heard on 19 albums to date. His compositions and editions have been published by International Church Publications and Pan Publications. There are currently over 200 titles in print of his organ and choral music. The New York stage has given Mark the opportunity to compose score for several productions including "Widow's Waltz", "The Woman They Love To Hate", Best Friends", and the theme song for the movie "Longtime Companion".

From 1972-1974, 1988-1989, and 1994-1996 Dr. Andersen was Artist in Residence for the John Hayes Hammond Castle Museum at the helm of the majestic four manual 123 rank Skinner/Composit organ installed there by the famous inventor during his life in Gloucester, MA. Tours of the famous organ as well as monthly concerts were standard bill of fare during those years for Mark. Mark also recorded three albums on the Castle organ and authored the book "A Pipe Dream", the story of John Hayes Hammond and his famous home and residence organ. Other Artists in Residence for the Castle have included Richard Elsasser and Virgil Fox.

In the mountains of picturesque New York State just outside of Cooperstown Mark now lives and enjoys his own pipe dream. He serves as Sub-Dean of the American Guild of Organists in Oneonta, NY and Vice President of Tonal Design for Artisan Instruments in Seattle, WA. Mark still concertizes and records regularly. His most recent full work "The Celestina" (a modern ballet) was debuted in November 1987 at Carnegie Hall to a sold out audience. Dr. Andersen has been chosen once again in 1999 for the International Composer's Award, First Prize in the Keyboard Division in Amsterdam , Holland for his composition "Messe Noel d'Orgue" which is released on International Artists Records CD entitled "Noel at Christ Church" recorded at historic Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown, NY.

Email Mark